About Me

Profile

About:

I was born in a small town in Upstate New York, and although I have spent most of my life in Texas I will forever carry the state motto “Excelsior,” meaning ever upward. My childhood was filled with dealing with the struggles of moving (from New York to Texas to Florida and finally back to Texas) and getting over what Texans called a strong speech impediment, and my family called the Yankee accent. Although at the time I was faced with new environments and challenges, I never let them get me down and pushed myself to always rise above and be the best I could be, largely due to the sense of competition I had with my older brother.

Having an older brother influenced my life and showed me that acting like a diva is never acceptable. Due to spoiling from my mom, who never got to have a sister, I appear to be extremely girly, but once you get to know me “I am the perfect mix of feminine and tomboy,” as many of my friends say. My home is in Missouri City, Texas, but I am currently a sophomore studying accounting in McCombs School of Business. Although I am extremely passionate about business, my biggest joy in life is baking. It would amazing to one day open a bakery where I could combine my love for numbers with my love for baked goods.

Why I Ride

It would be easy and understandable if I said I ride for those who have lost their lives directly to cancer. However, I would rather ride for those who have lost their lives indirectly due to cancer. I lost my grandma in the 6th grade to breast cancer, and although her death shook me to the core like nothing I have ever experience, it has been my grandpa’s slow decline after her death that truly breaks my heart. Many people take time and spend money to help and recognize those who are fighting cancer, but not nearly as many people realize the massive amount of destruction cancer can leave in its wake. After the victim of cancer leaves this earth, the people left behind are left with little sense of direction or hope, especially those, like my grandpa, who have spent their entire life with the said victim and grown dependent on them. I ride for the stories and lives that remain long after cancer has blindly taken a life. I would also like to ride for my close family friend and middle school band director, Bethan Adams, who was diagnosed with cancer recently and has been amazingly strong and hopeful over the past couple of months. In addition, I also ride for my ex boss, Kiki, who proves as a cancer survivor that this disease should not be able to define anyone’s life. As I embark upon my journey, I would like to remember that even the hardest day on my bike could not compare to the pain these women face, so, like them, I will fight on with a smile.